North Star {Knit Netherlee Slippers}

This is the twenty-seventh post in my North Star November series….a soul centered discussion about depression. Each day this month, I’ll be sharing a piece of my soul’s journey, along with a free pattern to thank you for taking part in such an important conversation! Catch up by reading Day 26. Skip forward to Day 28.

Mind. Body. Soul.

Mind. Body. Soul.

So far in our conversation, I’ve done a lot of talking about the mind. There are two other aspects that are super important as well, though, and I would be remiss in totally leaving them out.

I know, I know…Nobody really wants to hear about how important taking care of your body is when it comes to anxiety and depression (or at least I didn’t!). When you’re already feeling so down, it can be really difficult to find the willpower and diligence to care for your physical home (your body) too.

For me, it took getting into a healthier place mentally before I could even consider adding anything else to my daily routine. Which is probably why I’ve been talking about the mind so much up until this point.

I’ve found that adding just a few elements of physical care to my routine has gone a really long ways.

1. I’ve started paying close attention to my sleep and practicing healthier sleep practices. In the past, I’ve been eager and willing to trade a good night’s sleep for a little bit of fun. Now I stick to my schedule at least 6 night per week and I feel most comfortable if I can get good sleep more like 13 of 14 days. This means going to bed at a set time each night, turning off TV or devices at least 1 hour in advance of that time, and using supplements and scents to help me achieve deep, restorative sleep. (I must also mention here that all of my children aging past 18 months and waking up only two-ish times per night rather than 5 or 6 has made a big difference here)

Eat Right

2. I’ve added a wealth of good supplements and tinctures to my morning routine. I’ll share a resource list in a couple of days which features my favorite supplements and why I find them so helpful. Now that I know what works for me, this step takes two minutes of my day and makes a huge difference.

3. We all know that exercise helps increase endorphins and happy chemistry. I’m still not really a fan of routine exercise (hahaha) but I’m actively trying to spend more time in nature, which naturally helps get me moving. Long walks, hikes in the woods, or a quick bike ride can help set the mode for the day.

Comment and tell me…

What is one thing you could commit to doing to help support your healing journey physically?

{Though I do try to check all comments here on my blog regularly, it is not monitored 24/7. If you’re struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help! This suicide hotline is available 24 hours a day to support you: 1-800-273-8255}

More Cozy Feet….

Netherlee Slippers – Free Knit Slipper Pattern

As usual, today I’m sharing the knit version of yesterday’s pattern. These knit thrummed slippers are named after my daughter Netherlee. She’s a fun and colorful girl, which I’ve tried to bring to life in the slippers. They have cozy warm roving felt on the inside making them super snuggly to slip cold feet into. Plus the thrumming gives the slippers a cool effect (I did rainbow thrumming in mine). With six sizes in the pattern, you’ll be keeping lots of feet warm and happy.

In order to most easily deliver this knitted slipper pattern to you, I’m asking that you please input your email address into the form below. Though I like to post full patterns here on my blog when possible, sometimes they’re just SO long! This one is 33 pages, so it makes more sense to email your copy over. If you don’t want to be subscribed to the newsletter, simply hit “unsubscribe” at the bottom of the pattern delivery email.

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Knitting and the times I get to curl up in my room with my Daughter are the things that I really do to keep mind and body in balance. That and a lovely, steaming coffee in the mornings. It’s the little things.

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful patterns! I have also recently really been working on getting more and better sleep. In the past I would regularly stay up until 2 or 3 AM, because it was my “me” time. But I read a couple books about the terrible impact of inadequate sleep, so I’ve really been working on getting to bed at a decent hour. (I always aim for 10, but it’s usually closer to 11, sometimes 11:30) Also earplugs and a sleep mask that blocks all light helps. ANd I’ve been trying to avoid LED light before bedtime as well. It seems LED light (put out by all of our favorite devices) negatively effects our REM sleep, and that has pretty serious consequences too. Still working on it, but I’ve definitely been getting more sleep than I used to.

All this discussion really has my mind going. A lot of what’s been going on makes more sense. With taking care of my father I almost never got enough sleep at night. I’m not able to sleep during the day. I would stay up late just to finish chores from the previous day and try to get some of my projects done. Lately, before my daddy went to my sisters 2 weeks ago I started experiencing, the doctors told me was sleep paralysis. That is some Scarry stuff. Has anyone else experienced it? The first time it happened I really thought I was going to die. Since my dad left to visit my sister I decided to concentrate on getting rest. Well it started with sinus trouble and now it has gone in my chest. I figure my body was so exhausted that when I did start trying to rest more I just collapsed. Back to subject, after I get better I am going to try my best with not worrying about much on what I didn’t get done that day and concentrate on ME getting enough sleep so I can go on or continue the next day. Like you said it is harder to do what is best. You just have to keep practicing. I guess that is what I’m going to have to do. At night I can’t relax in the dark so I have to have some sort of light on and also the pure quietness gets my mind wondering again and all those voivces, thinking I hear all kinds of sounds so I have to have either the TV or radio on. I don’t know what to do to break that habit.
Thank you so much for all your sharing. A lot of things I’ve never thought about and maybe changing some of those will help.

I’m so glad this series is helping bring some awareness to some of the things in your life that you can change and improve. It’s amazing how there’s a whole world of information out there that we simply don’t think to dive into until we have to. I wasn’t into any of this stuff until I was practically forced because my depression got so out of hand. Now I realize there’s such value in it and I can see improvement as I put little things into practice in my life daily….but it’s not always easy! We’re trained with a lifetime of bad habits…so remember to be compassionate to yourself along the way too.

I’m so sorry with what you are going through. If there is anything I can get or share with you let me know. I have a huge pattern library. Where exactly do you live? I went through hurricane katrina and we also lost everything. We were left with the cement slab. ?

Rest is so important. Yet it is a challenge as a mother to remember getting good rest makes me better able to handle the responsibilities of my family.

Concerning devices in the evenings, I switched from watching tv or movies to listening to audio books. Libby is a great app for smartphones, where I can check out an audio book from my local library. Then I can knit. My present pattern I knit in the evening is a shawl for a friend whose sister recently passed away. Every stitch is a prayer for her, as she faces the first holiday without her dear sister.